Korean electronics companies, Samsung Electronics as the case, core capabilities and challenges, comparisons with Japanese and other nation manufacturing
Structure:
1. What is the question, and how do you provide a precise answer? What is your overall response, and then what analytical structure will you adopt to substantiate your stated view?
2. When did the firm/industry move towards FDI? Where did the investment go? Are there differences in FDI patterns with other industries or countries? What do we mean by an MNE or TNC?
3. Why did firms decide to become multinationals? What therefore was their strategy or motivation? Entry mode? Differences because timing of FDI, multinationals versus services, or between countries? To what extent are choices and decisions related to existing FDI theories and approaches? Market, efficiency, resource v asset seeking?
4. How did MNEs, once set to be ‘multinational-ized’, succeed as multinationals? What O advantages, capabilities or resources did they possess to succeed, or what advantages, capabilities or resources did they need to acquire or develop when ‘multinational-izing’? Production and operations? Management of global production chains, or SCM? R&D, innovation? Brand, design, product, and marketing? Management skills and experience? Human resource management skills, training? To what extent does evidence support existing FDI theories and approaches?
5. Management and organization. To what extent have strategic needs evolved after the act of FDI, and how is this related to management, organisation, levels of centralization, decentralization, or regionalization? Employment of expatriates v locals? Usefulness of FDI theories and approaches?
6. Role of government in stimulating inward FDI, and allowing and supporting outward FDI? Notion of institutional advantage? Political economy and macro-economic perspectives in FDI theories and approaches?
7. Conclusion. AP multinationals have some common characteristics that have allowed them to compete globally and in Europe, alongside companies from North America and Europe? Or differences between AP nations fundamental? Or differences between industries more important? Or general trends in 1980s, 1990s, or since 2000 more formative?
The AP means Asia Pacific. The course title is Asia Pacific Multinationals in Europe.
The essay is based on more detailed investigation of national industry cases, although you will be able to major on the key cases and guest lectures of the course. Furthermore, you will for each answer and case be awarded further marks for insights and perspectives drawn from your knowledge of overall trends, comparisons, and relevant theories, and these insights and perspectives should help you gain the higher or highest mark levels.